Belt buckle



Nov. 13 11923.

E. N. HUMPHREY BELT BUCKLE Filed DEC. 9, 1922 ATTORNEYS.

*near it forward edge.

Patented Nov. 13, 1923..

UNHTED STATES ERNEST N. HUMPHREY, or new BRITAIN, eonnnorrou'r.

BELT BUCKLE.

Application filed December 9, 1922. Serial No. 605,816.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, ERNEST N. HUMPHREY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New Britain, Connecticut, have invented a new-and useful Belt Buckle, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved buckle of the sheet metal type, and designed especially for use with bathing suit belts, although its use is not-necessarily confined thereto. The purpose of the present invention is broadly to provide an exceedingly simple and inexpensive, yet eilicient, construction, in which the buckle comprises two members to which the belt ends are respectively secured, said members being provided with effective means for detachably connecting the same and for holding them against accidental disengagement while in use.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the buckle as applied to, the two belt ends.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of the reverse side of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of one of the buckle parts, illustrating a modification.

1-2 represent the two members of a buckle, preferably struck up from sheet metal, the two adjacent edges being arranged to substantially abut when the parts are interlocked or connected. The member 1 is provided with a broad hook 3 at its forward edge, while the member 2 is provided with an extension 4 having a long narrow slot The dimensions of the slot are only slightly greater than the cross section of the hook, 3. parts against accidental disengagement I form on the outside of theturn of the hook 3, and near the middle thereof, one or more integral locking nibs or projections 5, which are so placed that when the hook is being passed through the slot it will be necessary to exercise pressure to snap the nib 5 therethrough. By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that whenthe parts 1-2 are straightened out into the operative position, this locking nib 5 will stand just through the slot and to the rear of the extension 4. Obviously, to detach the said members 12 sufficient pressure must be deliberately applied to force the nib 5 back through the slot. I

To secure the have found that there is sufficient spring in the metal to permit this rigid integral projection to be forced back and forth through the slot, and that, since force is required to accomplish the engagement and disengagement of the hook, it is obvious that the parts will be held against accidental disengagement while in use.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a nib 5 associated with the buckle portion 1, and in this case slots are formed' adjacent the ends of the nib 5 so as to form, in effect, a short integral spring mounting therefor, as plainly shown.

It should be understood that the belt ends indicated at 66 may be secured to the buckle parts 12 in any desired way, as by means of pivoted ratchet clamping devices, indicated respectively at 7-7.

I claim:

1. A belt buckle formed of two sheet metal members, one of said members having a hook thereon, the other of said members having a slot therein for receiving said hook, an integral projection on the hook member at'the bend thereof for frictionally engag ing the wall of the slot in the other member when the said members are engaged, said projection serving to prevent accidental disengagement of the two members.

2. A belt buckle formed of two sheet metal members, one of said members having a relatively wide hook thereon. the other of said members having a relatively long narrow slot therein for receiving said hook, an integral projection on the hook member at the bend thereof for frictionally engaging the other member when the said members are engaged, said projection serving to prevent accidental disengagement of the two members.

3. A belt buckle formed of two sheet metal members, one of said members having a relatively wide hook thereon, the other of said members having a relatively long narrow slot therein for receiving said hook. an integral projection on the hook member at the bend thereof for frictionally engaging the wall of the slot in the other member when the said members are engaged, said projection serving to prevent accidental disengagement of the two members, said pro- 00k member.

ERNEST N. HUMPI-IREY.

ection being yieldingly mounted on said 

